Check-rein attachment



(No Model.) J. '0. KELTON.

CHECK REIN ATTACHMENT. No. 331,892. Patented Dec. 8,1885.

Witnesses. Inventor.

N. PETERS, Films-Lithographer. Wizhinglcn, n c

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

JOHN C. KEL'TON, OF SAN FBANCISOU, CALIFORNIA.

CHECK-REIN ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,892, dated December 8, 1885.

Application filed October 1, 1885. Serial No. 178,767. (No model.)

To all whom it 71mg concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. KELTON, of

the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Check-Rein Attachments; and Iherebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and ex act description of the same.

My invention relates to a check-rein which is especially useful for cavalry horses to enable cavalrymen to use both hands in mounted firing while the horses are iii motion, and for hard-mouthed or restive horses in general.

It consists of an india-rubber tube containing a spring introduced on each branch of the curb-rein, and contracting with a strength sufficient for the purpose.

Referring to the accompanying drawing for a more complete explanation of my invention, the figure is a view of the attachment with a part broken away from near one end to show the interior construction.

A is a coiled metal spring capable of an extension of about five inches, and which exerts a contractile force of about forty pounds. The ends of this spring are fixed to metal bulbs or ends 0, and the exterior of the spring is covered by an elastic or rubber tube, B, which also extends over the metal bulbs, as shown.

E E are links or rein-fastenings by which the ends of the reins are secured to this device, and they are connected with heads D, having screw-threaded spindles, which screw into the heads of the bulbs C. The ends of the rubber tube B extend beneath the peripheries of the heads D, and are compressed and held in place when the heads D are screwed down, so that the whole is inclosed in a tight case, which will prevent moisture and dirt from getting to the interior, at the same time the elasticity of the rubber casing is such that it will follow the movement of the inclosed spring, and will thus preserve at all times a smooth exterior. The extension of the spring A is limited by the chain F, having one end permanently fastened to one of the loops E, and the other adjustably connected by a hook, as shown.

G is a link fixed at or near the center of the device, and through this link the chain F passes,so that it will not'droop orhang faraway from the tube. hen used for cavalry horses,

each trooper,knowing the amount of pressure his horse should have at a gallop, limits his stride to that gait by drawing back the rein upon starting, and fixing the curb at the proper point, and fastening it over the pommel of the saddle, thus effecting the control needed. It then only remains for the trooper with another rein to guide his horse, having both hands free to handle his carbine while firing and loading. By this means the perfect alignment of a cavalry force may be maintained in a charge, where perfect array is absolutely essential for success. The play of the spring affords the horse such movement of his head as not to hamper in going over uneven ground, in jumping, or in case he stumbles and falls.

With such a check-rein all horses hard to control in harness or mounting under the saddle, when the pressure on the bit is aptto be relaxed, can be brought into subjection, so as to give great freedom to the hands.

A horse unhitched without rider or driver with this check-rein will be under such control as to feel no disposition to run away, and if he does will be under such retraint as to limit his speed and render it an easy matter to stop him.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is-

1. The elastic coiled spring having its ends fixed in metal bulbs, to which the parts of the rein may be adjusted, in combination with an exterior rubber or elastic covering fitting this spring and extending over the bulbs, substantially as herein described.

2. In a check-rein, the elastic spiral spring having its ends secured in the heads or bulbs, and an inclosing elastic covering extending over this spring and the bulbs, in combination with heads or plates screwed into the ends of the bulbs, compressing and holding the end of the cover, substantially as herein described.

8. A check-rein comprising the elastic covered spring, with the screw-head compressing and holding the ends of the cover, and the links or attachments E, for the ends of the rein, substantially as herein described.

4. In a cheek-rein, the flexible elastic cov- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my ered spring adapted to yield to the pull or hand. strain, in combination with the chain having one end permanently attached near one end JOHN G. KELTON. 5 of the spring and the other adjustably connected to the opposite end of the spring, so as Witnesses: to limit its tension, substantially as herein de- ALFRED PANSHO, scribed. JOHN G. KELLY. 

